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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Redskins Q&A: Montae Nicholson

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The second-year safety is coming into his own this year under the veteran leadership of D.J. Swearinger Sr. Nicholson chats about his social media usage, his two dogs and thoughts after recently finishing "Game of Thrones."

The last organic tweet you posted was back in May. Why don't you use Twitter that much?

I don't know. I'm just not really on Twitter like that. I go on Twitter to find funny videos, that's really what I use social media for, and some news updates.

What's the last funny video you watched?

The Steelers stiff-arm. I was just showing somebody that video the other day [laughing].

So you don't feel like you have anything to say on there?

Yeah, it's just not always…everybody's got something to say on Twitter. I'm not really a big social media guy. I'll get on twice a day for a few minutes, but not a big social guy.

Were you ever into it?

I've got like seven pictures on my Instagram, like throughout time. It's not like I post pictures all the time.

So if that's not a distraction, how do you fill your time?

I watch a lot of movies and I have two dogs. I watch a lot of series, I just finished "Game of Thrones." I just started it, finished it in about a month during camp.

What did you think?

Oh, the greatest show on earth. In my opinion. I can't wait until the new season comes out.

What's a movie you've seen recently?

I'll go to the movies by myself all the time. I was just about to buy my ticket for "Venom." I just watched "Tag." I was about to watch "Deadpool 2" for the third time. I like superhero movies. "Rampage" with the The Rock. I'm a big movie guy.

What kind of dogs do you have?

I have a Cane Corso and a teacup Yorkie [Yorkshire Terrier]. Two totally different ends of the spectrum, I know.

How did you end up with them?

My aunt breeds Yorkies, my brother has one, my grandparents have one, I got him when I was a college sophomore in school. My Cane Corso I got last year, he just turned a year old, after I got my injury that's when I got him. But yeah, I'm a dog person. Love my dogs.

Did your family have a lot of dogs growing up?

Not really. My grandparents did. I was always on the move in my house, playing a lot sports and with little brothers and sisters we really couldn't have one. So now I'm kind of spoiling myself. I'm probably going to get another one I'm not going to lie to you.

Is there a community of dog people you know around your area?

Yeah, where I stay at there's a lot of dogs. People are real nice, walking around and get to know each other. Plus, my trainer does a lot of work with dogs. He's real active. My Yorkie is named Thor, all of about four pounds, he was the runt of the litter. I don't think he likes to be bothered so he just chills around the house.

Have you noticed that a lot of young guys in the league have dogs? Why do you think that is?

It's nice to have a companion, getting out of college, going somewhere new. For me it was more, coming off the injury, he helped a lot. My concussion, because I couldn't really watch TV or anything like that, loud noises. I got my puppy and we were just chilling in the house.

That must have been tough not watching any movies or TV.

Yeah, especially considering that's what I do. I had to limit my light and my noise in my house. His name's Kujo. It's spelled different. It's spelled with a K. Everybody gets all scared when I say that because he's big and he's black, too , he's like 130-plus pounds.

Yeah, people would freak out.

Especially because he's so hyper. But he just wants to play all the time, especially around new people. It's funny but it gets kind of tiring because people are like "oh my goodness," but I've got to explain, as soon as I tell him to sit, he sits and looks right at me and starts wagging his tail. He's fine.

Check out these photos of the Redskins' preparing for their Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park.

As you were recovering from the concussion last year, how else did you stay busy? Did you read?

I tried to watch a little TV. Tried to limit it though, slept a lot. I tried to come into the facility a few times later [in the day]. It took a long time for me to get back to normal. But I'm good now.

How have you grown from where you were then to now?

There's a lot more on my plate this year that the coaches have given me. Got somewhat of a feel for what's going on in terms of being a pro, not all the way there, not at all. I still got a lot to learn in terms of off the field for my body, myself, and upkeep and stuff like that. I feel like I'm just getting started. I feel like I'm starting to grasp it, playing as a pro as well. As a whole, as a group, we can only go up from here. I feel pretty good, I feel really good. It's obviously early in the season but I think we can do some great things.

You guys seem to really embrace the flight marshals nickname.

Oh yeah, without a doubt. We want the ball in the air, we want you to try earn your sky mileage.

You've got every cliché ready!

Got to [laughing]. We love that challenge We love people that challenge us because we feel like we're young. We feel like people think we're inexperienced.

Is it just your age?

Yeah, an age thing and just experience. D.J. and J-No are the vets and they've been in the league a long time, for the league, but when you think about it, not that long when you compare to the quarterbacks like Drew Brees. With that being said, they're going to test us and that just gives us a chance to let our big boys in the front eat.

How nice is it to have another year with D.J. Swearinger?

D.J.'s been an enormous help. He's taught me a lot, still teaching me. On and off the field. I'm extremely appreciative and blessed to have a mentor like that. I'll be selfish and I feel like they brought him in here for me. To teach me and groom me. I think they brought in one of the better people to do it.

This interview was condensed and edited.

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